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第217章

the decameron(十日谈)-第217章

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proved the occasion of begetting intire love and friendship;
betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo。
  Now concerning the skilfull Magitian; to whom Ansaldo meant to
give the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them; hee having
seene the strange liberality; which the husband expressed to Signior
Ansaldo; and that of Ansaldo to the Lady; hee presently saide。 Great
jupiter strike me dead with thunder; having my selfe seene a husband
so liberall of his honour; and you Sir of true noble kindnesse; if I
should not be the like of my recompence: for; perceiving it to be so
worthily imployed; I am well contented that you shal keepe it。 The
Noble Lord was modestly ashamed; and strove (so much as in him lay)
that he should take all; or the greater part thereof: but seeing he
laboured meerly in vaine; after the third day was past; and the
Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe; hee gave him free liberty to
depart; quite controlling all fond and unchaste affection in himselfe;
either towards Dianora; or any Lady else; and living (ever after) as
best becommeth any Nobleman to do。
  What say you now Ladies? Shal wee make any account of the woman
wel…neere dead; and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile;
by losse of his former hopes; comparing them with the liberality of
Signior Ansaldo; affecting more fervently; then ever the other did?
And being (beyond hope) possessed of the booty; which (above all
things else in the world) he most desired to have; to part with it
meerly in fond compassion? I protest (in my judgement) the one is no
way comparable to the other; that of Geitile; with this last of
Signior Ansaldo。




                    THE TENTH DAY; THE SIXT NOVELL

       SUFFICIENTLY DECLARING; THAT HOW MIGHTY SOEVER THE POWER OF
       LOVE IS: YET A MAGNANIMOUS AND TRULY GENEROUS HEART; IT CAN
                        BY NO MEANES FULLY CONQUER

  Victioious King Chrles; sirnamed the Aged; and first of that Name;
fell in love with a yong Maiden; named Genevera; daughter to an
ancient Knight; called Signior Neri degli Uberti。 And waxing ashamed
of his amorous folly; caused both Genevera; and her fayre Sister
Isotta; to be joyned in marriage with two Noble Gentlemen; the one
named Signior Maffeo da Palizzi; and the other; Signior Gulielmo della
Magna。

  Who is able to expresse ingeniously; the diversity of opinions;
which hapned among the Ladies; in censuring on the act of Madame
Dianora; and which of them was most liberall; eithet Signior
Gilberto the Husband; Lord Ansaldo the importunate suiter; or the
Magitian; expecting to bee bountifully rewarded。 Surely; it is a
matter beyond my capacity: but after the King had permitted their
disputation a long while; looking on Madam Fiammetta; he commanded
that she should report her Novel to make an end of their controversie;
and she (without any further delaying) thus began。 I did alwaies
(Noble Ladies) hold it fit and decent; that in such an assembly as
this of ours is; every one ought to speake so succinctly and
plainly: that the obscure understanding; concerning the matters spoken
of; should have no cause of disputation。 For disputes do much better
become the Colledges of Schollers; then to be among us; who hardly can
manage our Distaves or Samplers。 And therefore I; who intend to relate
something; which (peradventure) might appeare doubtfull: will forbeare
(seeing you in such a difference; for that which hath bin spoken
alreadie) to use any difficult discourse; but will speake of one; a
man of no meane ranke or quality; being both a valiant and vertuous
King; and what he did; without any impeach or blemish to his honor。
  I make no doubt; but you have often heard report; of king Charls the
Aged; and first of that name; by reason of his magnificent
enterprises; as also his most glorious victory; which he obtaind
against King Manfred; when the Ghibellines were expulsed foorth of
Florence; and the Guelphes returned thither againe。 By which occasion;
an ancient knight; named Signior Neri degli Uberti; forsaking then the
City; with all his family and great store of wealth; woulde live under
any other obedience; then the awful power or command of King
Charles。 And coveting to be in some solitary place; where he might
finish the remainder of his dayes in peace; he went to Castello da
Mare; where; about a Bow shoote distance from all other dwelling
houses; hee bought a parcel of ground; plentifully stored with variety
of Trees; bearing Olives; Chesnuts; Orenges; Lemons; Pomcitrons; and
other excellent frutages; wherewith the Countrey flourisheth
abundantly。 There he built a very faire and commodious house; and
planted (close by it) a pleasant Garden; in the middst whereof;
because he had great plenty of water: according as other men use to
do; being in the like case so wel provided; he made a very goodly
Pond; which forthwith had all kinde of Fish swimming in it; it being
his daily care and endevour; to tend his Garden; and encrease his
Fish…pond。
  It fortuned; that King Charles in the Summer time) for his
pleasure and recreation; went to repose himselfe (for some certayne
dayes) at Castello de Mare; where having heard report of the beautie
and singularitie of Signiour Neries Garden; hee grew very desirous
to see it。 But when he understoode to whome it belonged; then he
entred into consideration with himselfe; that hee was an ancient
Knight; maintaining a contrarie faction to his: wherefore; he
thought it fit to goe in some familiar manner; and with no trayne
attending on him。 Wherupon he sent him word; that he wold come to
visit him; with foure Gentlemen onely in his companie; meaning to
sup with him in his Garden the next night ensuing。 The newes was
very welcome to Signior Neri; who took order in costly maner for all
things to bee done; entertaining the King most joyfully into his
beautifull Garden。
  When the King had survayed all; and the house likewise; he commended
it beyond all other comparison; and the Tables being placed by the
Ponds side; he washed his hands therin; and then sat down at the the
Count; Sir Guy de Montforte (who was one of them which came in his
company) to sitte downe by him; and Signior Neri on his other side。 As
for the other three of the traine; hee commaunded them to attend on
his service; as Signior Neri had given order。 There wanted no
exquisite Viandes and excellent Wines; all performed in most decent
manner; and without the least noise or disturbance; wherein the King
tooke no little delight。
  Feeding thus in this contented manner; and fancying the solitude
of the place: sodainly entred into the garden; two yong Damosels; each
aged about some fifteene yeares; their haire resembling wyars of Gold;
and curiously curled; having Chaplets (made like provinciall
Crownes) on their heades; and their delicate faces; expressing them to
be rather Angels; then mortall creatures; such was the appearance of
their admired beauty。 Their under…garments were of costly Silke; yet
white as the finest snow; framed (from the girdle upward) close to
their bodies; but spreading largely downward; like the extendure of
a Pavillion; and so descending to the feet。 She that first came in
sight; caried on her shoulder a couple of fishing Netts; which she
held fast with her left hand; and in the right she carryed a long
staffe。 The other following her; had on her left shoulder a
Frying…pan; and under the same arme a small Faggot of woodde; with a
Trevit in her hand; and in the other hand a pot of Oyle; as also a
brand of fire flaming。
  No sooner did the King behold them; but he greatly wondered what
they should be; and; without uttering one word; attended to listen
what they wold say。 Both the yong damosels; when they were come before
the King; with modest and bashfull gesture; they performed very humble
reverence to him; and going to the place of entrance into the Pond;
she who held the Trevit; set it downe on the ground; with the other
things also; and taking the staffe which the other Damosell carried:
they both went into the Pond; the water whereof reached so high as
to their bosomes。 One of the Servants to Signior Neri; presently
kindled the

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